One of the best things about pasta is that there’s always one that’s perfect for our cravings in every season. In the summer, when tomatoes are in season, we love pasta with a bright tomato sauce, and in the spring, light pastas with ingredients like asparagus hit just right. Winter offers its own specialty pastas, and we’ve curated a list of some of the highlights.
These five winter pasta dishes will offer much-needed warmth and comfort as we face short and cold days for the next few months.
Mia’s Italian Kitchen’s Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Seasonal vegetables like winter squash and mushrooms are the highlight of the veggie lasagna at Mia’s. Layered between fresh, housemade sheets of pasta, a three-cheese mix of mozzarella, provolone, and lots of ricotta, and a rich tomato sauce, the vegetables add a nice bite and heaps of flavor to the dish. Make no mistake, this lasagna is deeply indulgent, with enough cheese for a bubbly top layer of molten cheese and those crispy edges that make lasagna the best comfort food for cold days. 100 King St., Alexandria
Osteria Marzano’s Agnolotti
These delicate handmade agnolotti are filled with herbaceous wilted spinach and ricotta, then doused in a nutty, velvety walnut cream sauce that is so decadent you may forget all about the cold temperatures outside. 6361 Walker Ln., Ste. 140, Alexandria
Scolapasta’s Cacio e Pepe
This is not your average fast-casual restaurant. Here, chefs behind the counter simmer warm sauces, some creamy, some red, and boil fresh pasta in-house. Pick one of the five pasta shapes, then ask for the cacio e pepe sauce. The buttery cheese and black pepper sauce is a silky-smooth creation that will warm you all the way to your toes. Tysons Galleria: 2001 International Dr., Third Floor, McLean
Trattoria Villagio’s Butternut Squash Tortellacci
Butternut squash is a quintessential winter vegetable. At Trattoria Villagio, it appears in a confit over tortellini that’s stuffed with cheese and smothered in a rich sage and marsala brown-butter glaze. A sprinkling of crushed amaretti cookies and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar complete this sweet and savory pasta creation. 7145 Main St., Clifton
Feature image courtesy Mia’s Italian Kitchen
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